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IHE 



CONSTITUTION 



AND 



ASSOCIATE STATUTES 



OF THE 



THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 



IN 



ANDOVER; 



WITH A SKETCH OF ITS RISE AND PROGRESS. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. 



T 

BOSTON : 



.PUBLISHED BY FARRAND, MALLORY, AND C9 

SUFFOLK BUILDINGS, STATE STF.EET. 



Belcher and Armstrong, Printers. 

1808. 






j\6\^0 






HISTORIC SKETCH, 

4 
EXHIBITED AT THE OPENING OF THE THEOLOGICAL 
INSTITUTION. 

BY ELIPHALET PEARSON, LL.D. 



1 O gratify a common and salutary principle of hu- 
man nature, it has been thought proper to introduce 
the communications of the day with a brief account of 
the rise, progress, and object of the Institution, now to 
be organized* To arrive at its origin, it must be trac- 
ed back to the pious Institution, more than thirty years 
since founded in this place by the united liberality of two 
brothers, the Hon. Samuel and the Hon. John Phillips, 
sons of the first Minister of this Parish. In the Consti- 
tution of their Academy they expressly declare " that 
" the first and principal object of their Institution is the 
" promotion of true Piety and Virtue. " They 
have also accordingly made it the duty of the princi- 
pal Instructor, " as the age and capacities of the schol- 
" ars will admit, not only to instruct and establish them 
" in the truth of Christianity, but also to inculcate upon 
" them the great and important doctrines and duties of 
" our holy religion." In promotion of the same sub- 
lime object the Hon. John Phillips farther gave in the 
year 1789, the generous sum of $20,000, " for the 
''virtuous and pious education of youth of genius and 
serious disposition" in this Academy. To complete 



4 

Iris liberality, in his last Will he bequeathed to the Acad- 
emy in Exeter, of which he was sole Founder, two 
thirds and to the Academy in this town one third of the 
residue of all his Estate, " for the benefit," as his ex- 
pression is, " more especially of charity scholars, such 
" as may be of excelling genius, and of good moral 
" character, preferring the hopefully pious ; and such of 
" these, who are designed to be employed in the great 
" and good work of the gospel ministry, having acquir- 
u ed the most useful human literature in either of these 
" Academies or other Seminaries, may be assisted in the 
(i study of Divinity (if a Theological Professor is not 
" employed in either of the two forementioned Acade- 
" mies) under the direction of some eminent Calvinis- 
" tic Minister of the gospel, until such time, as an able, 
" pious, and orthodox Instructor shall, at least in part, 
" be supported in one or both these Academies, as a 
" Professor of Divinity ; by whom they may be taught 
* 6 the important principles and distinguishing tenets of 
" our holy Christian religion." To this Fund the Hon. 
William Phillips, late of Boston, also bequeathed 
§4000 for the same pious design. 

In the special appropriation of this Fund every one 
must remark the expansion of the great object of the 
Founders of the Academy, and its intimate connexion 
with the Theological Institution now established ; and, 
agreeably to the principal design of the Founders and to 
the express object of this Fund, a considerable number 
of theological -Students, now settled in the ministry, 
have been supported on this Foundation, while prose- 



euting their studies under the direction of the Clergy- 
man of this place. 

On a well grounded expectation of liberal additions 
to their theological fund, the Trustees in June 1807 
applied to the General Court, to enlarge their power of 
holding estate and obtained the following Act. 

" Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; Whereas the 
" Trustees of Phillips Academy have petitioned this 
" Court for liberty to receive and hold donations of 
" charitably disposed persons, for the purpose ofaThe- 
" ological Institution, and in furtherance of the designs 
" of the pious Founders and Benefactors of said Acade- 
"my; and, whereas it is reasonable, that the prayer 
u should be granted ; 

4 ' Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
" sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the 
"authority of the same, that the said Trustees of Phil- 
" lips Academy be, and they are hereby impowered to 
" receive, purchase, and hold, for the purposes afore- 
" said, real and personal estate, the annual income 
" whereof shall not exceed $5000, in addition to what 
" they are now allowed by law to hold ; provided the 
" income of the said real and personal estate be always 
"applied to said objects, agreeably to the will of 
" the Donors, if consistent with the original design of 
"the Founders of the said Academy." 

The expectation, which gave rise to this enlargement 
of power, we now see fulfilled in the broad foundation, 
since laid for the support oi theological Professors and 
Students in this Seminary. 



Such, as we have now represented, is the connexion, 
between Phillips Academy and the Theological Institu- 
tion, whose birth we this day celebrate ; and justice as 
well, as gratitude, requires us to recognize the former, 
as the radix of the latter, and as the embryo of its fu- 
ture manhood. 

But, while we trace back the new Institution to the 
pious benevolence of men now in Heaven ; we must 
not, we cannot fail to acknowledge the immeasurable 
goodness of God in raising up others to enlarge and 
perfect, what they had begun. It is indeed the Lord's 
doings and it is marvellous in our eyes. That so ma- 
ny persons, in different sections of the community, 
should at the same period, and without communication, 
be impressed with the necessity of such an Institution, 
an Institution unnamed in the annals of this country 
and of Europe ; and that men, possessing the ability, per- 
sonally unknown to each other, should at the same mo- 
ment be moved, with almost unprecedented liberality, 
to devote their property to the education of a pious and 
learned ministry, must compel, one would think, even 
atheism itself to acknowledge that there is a God in 
heaven, who ruleth among the children of men. Those 
especially, whose situation and agency have furnished 
the best opportunity of observing the many striking- 
proofs of the interposing, guiding, and controlling hand 
of divine Providence in the formation of this Institu- 
tion, have had abundant cause to exclaim, in the lan- 
guage of pious gratitude, " Not unto us, O Lord, not 
' unto us, but unto thy name give glory." 



As the nature and object of the Institution, togeth- 
er with the motives, views, and expectations of the 
Founders, will fully appear from their respective Stat- 
utes, now to be read; it is unnecessary to enlarge on 
these topics. I shall only observe that, as the Semi- 
nary originated in a conviction of the importance of a 
learned and evangelical ministry ; so its primary object 
is to lay such a foundation of sacred literature, as will 
best support and protect the superstructure of gospel 
truth against the open assaults and secret machinations 
of atheism, infidelity, and error. Not the peculiarities 
of any sect or party, but the great system of revealed 
truth, contained in the Bible, avowed by the Reformers, 
embraced by our Fore-fathers, and expressed in the As- 
sembly's catechism ; it will be the duty of the Profes- 
sors to illustrate and maintain ; as must be evident from 
the creed, which they are required to subscribe. Nor 
will any force or influence, but that of truth,be employ- 
ed with the Students, to gain their assent to any system 
or doctrine. And surely no man of understanding and 
information can with propriety denominate that system 
of Christian doctrine sectarian, which, as appears from 
the Harmony of Confessions, has been received and 
professed by all Protestant Churches in Europe ; which 
was the faith of the first settlers of this country, and is 
still the faith of the great body of their pious descend- 
ants. It is true indeed, that some difference in opinion 
and practice, relative to discipline, rites, and modes of 
worship, early took place among Protestants in Europe 
as well, as in this country ; which has given rise to sev- 
eral denominations of Christians. Still however the 



great doctrines of the reformation continue to consti- 
tute the public creed of our Churches and the faith of 
most private Christians. If it be true, that some indi- 
viduals, who call themselves Christians, have renounc- 
ed the doctrines of the reformation in general, or any 
cardinal doctrine in particular; such individuals, not 
the body of Christians, still embracing those doctrines, 
merit the epithet sectarian. These observations are 
made, not to censure any, who on some points may 
think differently from us ; but merely to exhibit this 
infant Seminary in its proper attitude and true light ; 
and to guard against those misapprehensions and fears, 
which it is natural even for honest and serious minds 
to entertain, concerning an Institution so novel and so 
interesting. Conscious, that our object is to defend 
and disseminate the pure gospel of Christ, we are soli- 
citous, that so good a cause may not suffer from preju- 
dice, and that through us divine truth receive no detri- 
ment. Of the unbelieving and fearful we request, that 
they judge nothing before the time ; and, when that ar- 
rives, that we may be judged according to our works. 
The tree is known by its fruit. Till that is formed 
and matured, the wise man will suspend his judgment 
and his fears, and the man of real candor will hope the 
best. 

In tracing the origin of the new Institution the ven- 
erable Founders of the Academy, which bears their 
name, have arisen to our view in grateful remembrance; 
but even the tribute of justice has not been paid to the 
prime mover as well, as active patron of that Seminary. 
Let it then for once be publicly announced, and this 



without diminishing the merit of the generous Found- 
ers, that to the sagacious, originating, and disinterest- 
ed mind of the late patriotic Lieut. Governor Phillips, 
is the world indebted for the conception of an Institu- 
tion, from which so many blessings have already flow- 
ed to the community. 

What in this connexion merits particular notice, 
because in this country without a parallel, this 
gentleman at the early age of twenty-one, instead 
of plans for personal wealth and aggrandizement, was 
planning the Constitution of yonder Academy, and de- 
vising the means of its future existence. Yes, this 
singular young man, the only surviving son of his hon- 
oured Father, and the darling of his childless Uncle, by 
his pious representations induced them to devote to 
this object of his heart no small portion of that prop- 
erty, to which himself was a natural heir. Nor could 
the anxieties and labors of public life, during our rev- 
olutionary war, divert his attention from his favorite de- 
sign. For in the midst of our national distresses he 
hastened into actual existence his beloved Academy. 
What an example to young men of talents ; what an 
encouragement to all of every age ! May this monu- 
ment of his wisdom and piety be as lasting, as time ; 
and may the expansion of it stimulate many to come 
and do likewise. 

While we naturally regret, that this paragon of pub- 
lic spirit so early took his upward flight ; we have to 
bless God, that his mantle descended on those around 
him ; and that a copious portion of the same spirit has 
been granted to others, whom delicacy forbids me to 



10 

name. These also have come, and joined themselves 
to this sacred Institution ; and largely have they brought 
of the gold of Ophir to the offerings of the Lord. May 
the God of Heaven bless them ; may they long live to 
witness the good fruits of their munificence ; and here- 
after may they inherit durable riches and righteousness 
in that Kingdom, which shall never be moved. 

The silver and the gold are mine, saith Jehovah ; and it 
is the Lord, that giveth power to get wealth, and a 
heart to employ it in his service. To Him therefore, 
who worketh all things according to the counsel of his 
own will, must we ultimately refer the origin and pro- 
gress of this Institution ; and to that Almighty Being, 
who is the sole Author of every good and perfect gift, be 
ascribed all the honor and glory of this great work ; 
and let the Founders and all the people say, Amen. 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 



It having pleased the Father of lights and Author of 
all good to inspire the late Honorable Samuel Phillips 
of Andover in the County of Essex and Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts Esquire, and the late Honor- 
able John Phillips of Exeter in the County of Rock- 
ingham and State of New- Hampshire Esquire, with 
the pious determination to make " a humble dedication 
" to their Heavenly Benefactor of the ability, wherewith 
u He had blessed them," by laying, in the year 1778, 
in the South Parish in Andover aforesaid, the founda- 
tion of a public Academy, for the instruction of youth, 
not only in the learned languages and in various useful 
Arts and Sciences, but principally for the promotion of 
true piety and virtue ; — it having also pleased the In- 
finite Mind, at subsequent periods, to excite the said 
John Phillips, and likewise the late Honorable William 
Phillips, of Boston, in the County of SuiFolk and Com- 
monwealth aforesaid Esquire, to make liberal provi- 
sion, not only for " promoting the virtuous and pious 
" education of indigent youth of genius, and of serious 
" disposition, in said Academy ;" but " more especially 
" for the benefit of charity Scholars of excelling genius, 
"good moral character, hopefully pious, and designed 
" for the great and good work of the gospel ministry, 






12 

" who, having acquired the most useful human Litera- 
"ture, may be assisted in the study of Divinity, under 
"the direction of some eminent Calvinistic Minister of 
" the gospel, until such time, as an able, pious, and 
" orthodox Instructor shall be supported in the said 
" Academy, as a Professor of Divinity, by whom they 
" may be taught the important and distinguishing te- 
" nets of our Holy Christian Religion" 

In pursuance therefore of the same benevolent ancL 
pious object, and with a desire to devote a part of the 
substance, with which Heaven has blessed us, to the 
defense and promotion of the Christian Religion, by 
making some provision for increasing the number of 
learned and able defenders of the gospel of Christ, as 
well as of orthodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the 
New Testament ; being moved by the same Spirit, 
which actuated the Founders and Benefactors afore- 
said, and influenced, as we hope, by a principle of 
gratitude to God and benevolence to man ; — 

We, Phoebe Phillips of said Andover, Relict of Sam- 
uel Phillips Esquire late Lieutenant-Governor of the 
Commonwealth aforesaid, and John Phillips, son of the 
said Samuel Phillips and Phoebe Phillips, do hereby 
jointly and severally obligate ourselves to erect and 
finish, with all convenient dispatch, two separate build- 
ings, one of which to be three stories high, and of such 
other dimensions, as to furnish convenient lodging 
rooms for fifty Students ; and the other building to be 
two stories high, and of such dimensions, as to furnish, 
in addition to a kitchen and private rooms necessary to 
a Steward's family, three public rooms, one for a dining 



13 

Hall, one for a Chapel and Lecture room, (each suffi- 
ciently large to accommodate sixty Students) and a 
third for a Library, the said buildings to be located by 
direction of the Trustees of Phillips Academy ; — and 
I Samuel Abbot of Andover aforesaid Esquire, with 
the same views, and in furtherance of the same design, 
do hereby give, assign, and set over unto the Trustees 
aforesaid the sum of twenty thousand dollars, in trust, 
as a fund for the purpose of maintaining a Professor 
of Christian Theology (reserving to myself the right of 
appointing the first Professor on this Foundation) and 
for the support and encouragement of Students in Di- 
vinity ; both the said buildings and the interest or 
annual income of the said sum of money to be forever 
appropriated and applied by the Trustees aforesaid for 
the use and endowment of such a public Theological 
Institution in Phillips Academy, as is herein after des- 
cribed, and on the following express conditions, viz. 
that the said Institution be accepted by the Trustees 
aforesaid, and that it be forever conducted and govern- 
ed by them and their Successors in conformity to the 
following general Principles and Regulations, which 
we unitedly adopt and ratify as the Constitution of the 
same, reserving to ourselves, however, during our na- 
tural lives the full right jointly to make any additional 
regulations, or to alter any rule herein prescribed, pro- 
vided such regulation or alteration be not prejudicial 
to the true design of this Foundation, viz. 

First. This Institution or Seminary shall be equal- 
ly open to Protestants of every denomination for the 
admission of young men of requisite qualifications. 



14 

Second. Every candidate for admission into this 
Seminary shall produce satisfactory evidence, that he 
possesses good natural and acquired talents, has honor- 
ably completed a course of liberal education, and sus- 
tains a fair moral character. He shall also declare that 
it is his serious intention to devote himself to the work 
of the gospel ministry, (unless in certain peculiar cases 
it appear to the Trustees, or a Committee of their ap- 
pointment, that the object of this Institution will be 
promoted by excusing a pious applicant from making 
this declaration) and exhibit proper testimonials of his 
being in full communion with some Church of Christ; 
in default of which he shall subscribe a declaration of 
his belief of the Christian Religion. 

Third. The Students in this Seminary shall be 
aided in their preparation for the ministry by able Pro- 
fessors ; whose duty it shall be, by public and private 
instruction, to unlock the treasures of divine knowledge, 
to direct the Pupils in their inquiries after sacred truth, 
to guard them against religious error, and to accelerate 
their acquisition of heavenly wisdom. 

Fourth. The public instruction shall be given in 
Lectures on Natural Theology, Sacred Literature, Ec- 
clesiastical History, Christian Theology, and Pulpit 
Eloquence. 

Fifth. In the lectures on Natural Theology, the 
existence, attributes, and providence of God, shall be 
demonstrated ; the soul's immortality and a future 
state, as deducible from the light of nature, discussed ; 
the obligations of man to his Maker, resulting from the 
divine perfections and his own rational nature, enforc- 






15 

ed ; the great duties of social life, flowing from the 
mutual relations of man to man, inculcated ; and the 
several personal virtues deduced and delineated ; the 
whole being interspersed with remarks on the coinci- 
dence between the dictates of reason and the doctrines 
of revelation, in these primary points ; and, notwith- 
standing such coincidence, the necessity and utility of 
a divine revelation stated. 

Sixth. Under the head of Sacred Literature shall 
be included lectures on the formation, preservation, and 
transmission of the sacred volume ; on the languages, 
in which the Bible was originally w r ritten ; on the 
Septuagint version of the old Testament, and on the 
peculiarities of the language and style of the new Tes- 
tament, resulting from this version and other causes ; 
on the history, character, use, and authority of the an- 
cient versions and manuscripts of the old and new 
Testaments ; on the canons of biblical criticism ; on 
the authenticity of the several books of the sacred Code ; 
on the apocryphal books of both Testaments ; on 
modern translations of the Bible, more particularly on 
the history and character of our English version ; and 
also critical lectures on the various readings and diffi- 
cult passages in the sacred writings. 

Seventh. Under the head of Ecclesiastical History 
shall be comprised lectures on Jewish antiquities ; on 
the origin and extension of the Christian church in the 
first three centuries ; on the various sects and heresies 
in the early ages of Christianity ; on the character and 
writings of the fathers ; on the establishment of Chris- 
tianity by Constantine, and its subsequent effects ; on 



16 

the rise and progress of popery and mahometanism ; 
on the corruptions of the church of Rome ; on the 
grounds, progress, and doctrines of the reformation ; 
on the different denominations among protestants ; on 
the various constitutions, discipline, and rites of wor- 
ship, which have divided, or may still divide the Chris- 
tian church ; on the state and prevalence of paganism 
in our world ; and on the effect, which idolatry, ma- 
hometanism, and Christianity have respectively produc- 
ed on individual and national character. 

Eighth. Under the head of Christian Theology 
shall be comprehended lectures on divine revelation ; 
on the inspiration and truth of the old and new Testa- 
ments, as proved by miracles, internal evidence, fulfil- 
ment of prophecies, and historic facts ; on the great 
doctrines and duties of our holy Christian religion, to- 
gether with the objections made to them by unbeliev- 
ers, and the refutation of such objections ; more par- 
ticularly on the revealed character of God, as Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost ; on the fall of man and the de- 
pravity of human nature ; on the covenant of grace ; 
on the character, offices, atonement, and mediation of 
Jesus Christ ; on the character and offices of the 
Holy Spirit ; on the scripture doctrines of regenera- 
tion, justification, and sanctification ; on evangelical 
repentance, faith, and obedience ; on the nature and 
necessity of true virtue or gospel holiness ; on the fu- 
ture state, the immortality of soul and body, and the 
eternity of future rewards and punishments, as revealed 
in the gospel ; on the positive institutions of Christian- 
ity ; on the nature, interpretation, and use of prophecy ; 



17 

and on personal religion, as a qualification for the min- 
istry ; each Lecture under this head to be preceded and 
followed by prayer. 

Ninth. Under the head of Pulpit Eloquence shall 
be delivered a competent number of lectures on the 
importance of oratory ; on the invention and disposi- 
tion of topics : on the several parts of a regular dis- 
course ; on elegance, composition, and dignity in style ; 
on pronunciation, or the proper management of the 
voice and correct gesture ; on the immense impor- 
tance of a natural manner ; on the rules to be observ- 
ed in composing a sermon, and on the adaptation of the 
principles and precepts of antient rhetoric to this modern 
species of oration ; on the qualities in the speaker, in 
his style, and in his delivery, necessary to a finished 
pulpit Orator ; on the methods of strengthening the 
memory, and of improving in sacred eloquence ; on 
the character and style of the most eminent Divines and 
best models for imitation, their respective beauties and 
excellencies in thought and expression ; and above all, 
on the transcendent simplicity, beauty, and sublimity 
of the sacred writings. 

Tenth. It shall be the duty of the Professors, by 
private instruction and advice, to aid the Students in 
the acquisition of a radical and adequate knowledge of 
the sacred scriptures in their original languages, and of 
the old Testament in the Septuagint version ; to direct 
their method of studying the Bible and all other writ- 
ings ; to superintend and animate their pursuits by 
frequent inquiries and examinations, relative to their 
progress in books and knowledge ; to assign proper 



18 

subjects for their first compositions, and to suggest a 
natural method of treating them ; frequently and crit- 
ically to examine their early productions, and in a free, 
but friendly manner, to point out their defects and er- 
rors, in grammar, method, reasoning, style, and senti- 
ment ; to improve them in the important art of read- 
ing, and to give them opportunities of speaking in pub- 
lic, favoring them with their candid remarks on their 
whole manner ; to explain intricate texts of scripture, 
referred to them ; to solve cases of conscience ; to 
watch over their health and morals with paternal solici- 
tude ; and by every prudent and christian method to 
promote the growth of true piety in their hearts ; to 
give them friendly advice with relation to their neces- 
sary intercourse among men in the various walks of life, 
and especially with respect to the mamier, in which it 
becomes a minister of the meek and lowly Jesus to 
address both God and man, whether in the assembly 
of his saints, or in the chamber of sickness and of death. 
Eleventh. Every Professor in this Seminary 
shall be a Master of Arts, of the Protestant reformed 
religion, in communion with some Christian church 
of the Congregational or Presbyterian denomination, 
and sustain the character of a sober, honest, learned, 
and pious man ; he shall moreover be a man of sound 
and orthodox principles in Divinity, according to that 
form of sound words or system of evangelical doc- 
trines, drawn from the scriptures, and denominated the 
Westminster Assembly's shorter Catechism, and more 
concisely delineated in the Constitution of Phillips 
Academy. 



19 

Twelfth. Every person therefore, appointed or 
elected a Professor in this Seminary, shall on the day 
of his inauguration, and in the presence of the said 
Trustees, publicly make and subscribe a solemn de- 
claration of his faith in divine revelation, and in the 
fundamental and distinguishing doctrines of the gospel 
of Christ, as summarily expressed in the Westmin- 
ster Assembly's shorter Catechism ; and he shall far- 
thermore solemnly promise, that he will open and ex- 
plain the Scriptures to his Pupils with integrity and 
faithfulness ; that he will maintain and inculcate the 
christian faith, as above expressed, together with all 
the other doctrines and duties of our holy religion, so 
far as may appertain to his office, according to the best 
light God shall give him, and in opposition, not only to 
Atheists and Infidels, but to Jews, Mahometans, Arians, 
Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Unita- 
rians, and Universalists, and to all other heresies and 
errors, antient or modern, ' which may be opposed to 
the gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the souls of 
men ; — that by his instruction, counsel, and example, 
he will endeavour to promote true Piety and Godliness ; 
that he will consult the good of this Institution and the 
peace of the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ on 
all occasions ; and that he will religiously observe the 
Statutes of this Institution, relative to his official duties 
and deportment, and all such other Statutes and Laws 
as shall be constitutionally made by the Trustees of 
Phillips Academy, not repugnant thereto. 

Thirteenth. The preceding declaration shall be 
repeated by every Professor in this Seminarv, in the 



20 

presence of the said Trustees, at the expiration of ev- 
ery successive period of live years ; and no man shall 
be continued a Professor in this Institution, who shall 
not continue to approve himself, to the satisfaction of 
the said Trustees, a man of sound and orthodox princi- 
ples in Divinity, agreeably to the system of evangelical 
doctrines, contained in the aforesaid Catechism. Ac- 
cordingly, if at any meeting regularly appointed, it 
should be proved to the satisfaction of a majority of 
the whole number of the said Trustees, that any Pro- 
fessor in this Institution has taught or embraced any of 
the heresies or errors, alluded to in the Declaration 
aforesaid ; or, should he refuse to repeat the same, as 
herein required, he shall be forthwith removed from 
office. 

Fourteenth. Every Professor in this Institution 
shall be under the immediate inspection of the said 
Trustees, and by them be removed, agreeably to the 
will of his Founder, for gross neglect of duty, scanda- 
lous immorality, mental incapacity, or any other just 
and sufficient cause. 

Fifteenth. Whenever a Professor in this Semi- 
nary shall be removed by death or otherwise, the said 
Trustees shall elect a successor within twelve months. 

Sixteenth. The Trustees aforesaid, in conform- 
ity to the statutes of every Founder, shall assign to the 
Professors in this Seminary their respective departments 
of instruction, the times for reading their lectures, and 
their several public and private duties, in such manner, 
as, after consultation with the said Professors, shall to 
the said Trustees appear most convenient and useful ; 



21 

provided however, that the course of lectures in each 
department be always completed within the space of 
three years. 

Seventeenth. The necessary expences of indi- 
gent Students at this Seminary, for board, lodging, 
washing, fuel, and light, will be defrayed out of funds 
appropriated to this purpose, agreeably to the regula- 
tions, in such case provided, and as said funds may 
permit. 

Eighteenth. No person shall be admitted a Stu- 
dent on the charitable Foundation, who is not distin- 
guished by natural abilities, literary acquirements, un- 
blemished morals, and hopeful piety ; a certificate of 
which qualities will be required from known and res- 
pectable characters, in order to the enjoyment of this 
charity. 

Ni neteenth. To be entitled to the maintenance 
aforesaid, each Student on the charitable Foundation, 
unless prevented by sickness, must reside at this Semi- 
nary nine months at least in each year, regularly at- 
tending the exercises aforesaid as well, as diligently 
prosecuting the studies prescribed, and in all respects 
conforming to the rules of this Constitution, and to the 
laws and orders of the said Trustees. 

Twentieth. Whatever may be the number of 
vacations, the aggregate thereof shall not exceed eight 
weeks in any one year ; and the constant presence of 
the Professors and Students will be expected in term 
time. 

Twenty-first. Every Student in this Seminary 
shall constantly, punctually, and seriously attend the 



22 

religious exercises of the chapel morning and evening, 
and all the public lectures of the several Professors ; 
and, to increase the reverence due to religious institu- 
tions as well, as to give weight to public instruction, 
it is expected, that the Professors not only frequent the 
chapel at morning and evening prayers, but that they 
constantly attend each other's public lectures. 

Twenty-second. Every Student in this Semina- 
ry is required to devote so much time to the study of 
the learned languages, as shall increase his knowledge 
of them, especially of the Greek and Hebrew lan- 
guages; to pay due attention to Philology, Rhetoric, and 
Oratory ; to read the best treatises on natural and re- 
vealed Religion, and on the fundamental doctrines of 
the Gospel ; to make himself master of the principal 
arguments and evidences of the truth of Christianity ; 
to pay due attention to ecclesiastical History, and to 
the canons of biblical Criticism. But above all, it is 
required, that he make the Bible the object of his most 
attentive, diligent, and prayerful study. 

Twenty-third. It will be the duty of the Pro- 
fessors in this Seminary to prepare a list of such books, 
and to point out such a course of study, as in their 
opinion may be most congenial to the true design of 
this Institution, and most beneficial to the Students in 
it ; which list of books and course of study, being ap- 
proved by said Trustees, said Students shall pursue ; 
they shall also frequently ask the advice and assistance 
of the Professors with reference to their studies ; and 
often submit their theological compositions, especially 



their first essays, to the friendly inspection and faithful 
remarks of one or more of the said Professors. 

Twenty-fourth. Each Student, once at least in 
eveiy year, shall acquaint the Professors with the books, 
he has read, and with his course of study, during said 
year ; and shall also be examined in the original lan- 
guages of the old and new Testament, and in the 
Septuagint version of the former ; also with reference 
to the leading sentiments and arguments of the princi- 
pal authors, he has perused ; but especially with res- 
pect to the style, character, and design of those sacred 
writers, which agreeably to direction he has particu- 
larly studied. 

Twenty-fifth. If upon due and impartial ex- 
amination it be found, that any Student on the charita- 
ble Foundation aforesaid, has not made reasonable pro- 
ficiency in the studies prescribed him, he shall be con- 
tinued thereon no longer ; and, if any Student whatever 
in this Seminary shall be guilty of any gross immorali- 
ty, or of any insult or oppugnation to the said Trustees, 
or to any Professor or Officer of this Seminary, he shall 
be cut oft* from all the advantages and benefits of this 
Institution, unless he make reasonable and immediate 
satisfaction for his offence. 

Twenty-sixth. Whenever a Student shall have 
honorably finished his term and course of study under 
the direction of the Professors, and such Student shall 
request it, a Certificate, signed by the Professors, speci- 
fying how long such Student has studied under the 
direction, and attended the lectures of the Professors, 
that he has prosecuted his studies with diligence, and 



24 

sustained a good moral character, shall be given him ; 
provided always, that his conduct, and his proficiency 
in theological knowledge be such, as to merit the same. 

Twenty-seventh. After the expiration of the 
first three years from the opening of this Institution, it 
will be required of all persons, who may wish to enjoy 
the advantages of the same, that they statedly reside at 
the Seminary three full years, vacations excepted ; a 
period scarcely sufficient for acquiring that fund of 
knowledge, which is necessary for a minister of the 
gospel. No Student therefore, after the expiration of 
the first three years of the Institution, shall be entitled 
to the Certificate aforesaid, nor can any one leave the 
Seminary in an honorable manner, within the term of 
three years of such residence, except by permission, 
specially obtained of the Trustees, in case of necessity. 

Twenty-eighth. Every morning and evening, 
during term time, religious exercises shall be performed 
in the chapel, and these exercises shall usually be, as fol- 
lows. The divine assistance and blessing shall be first 
implored in a short prayer ; a devotional chapter or 
psalm shall then be read, accompanied with pious and 
practical reflections ; or, instead of this, once at least 
in every week, an exposition shall be given upon some 
deeply interesting passage of scripture ; to this shall 
succeed a piece of genuine psalmody ; and the services 
be concluded by an appropriate prayer. In these ex- 
ercises the Professors shall preside and ordinarily offi- 
ciate ; but Students of two years standing may occa- 
sionally perform them in whole or in part, according to 



25 

the desire and direction of the Professors. Moreover, 
as soon as circumstances will permit, a regular church 
will be formed in this Seminary, consisting chiefly of 
the Professors, Students, and families, connected with 
this Seminary and Phillips Academy ; after which, if 
not before, divine services will be publicly celebrated 
in the chapel of the Seminary, in the forenoon and af- 
ternoon of every Lord 's-day , during term time. These 
services shall be usually performed by the Professors, 
but sometimes by such senior Students, as may have 
obtained permission of the Professors to preach occa- 
sionally ; and they shall be attended by all the Students 
of this Institution, and by as many of the families of 
the Professors and Officers, connected with it, or with 
Phillips Academy, as may wish for this privilege, and 
by as many pupils of said Academy, as may be deem^ 
ed expedient by the Trustees aforesaid. 

Twenty-ninth. The senior Students will be re- 
quired, not only to prepare sermons, but occasionally 
to deliver them in pijplic, both in the Seminary and in 
neighbouring congregations, as may be judged expe- 
dient by the said Professors. No Student, however, 
shall presume to preach, before, upon thorough ex- 
amination of his qualifications and motives for preach- 
ing, he shall have obtained a written permission there- 
for, subscribed by the Professors, or the major part of 
them. This permission, however, is never to super- 
sede the customary approbation or license of some re- 
gular Association or Presbyter} 7 . 



26 

Thirtieth. Sacred Music, and especially Psalm- 
tidy, being an important part of public, social worship, 
and, as it is proper for those, who are to preside in the 
assemblies of God's people,- to possess themselves so 
much skill and taste in this sublime art, as at least to 
distinguish between those solemn movements, which 
are congenial to pious minds, and those unhallowed, 
trifling, medley pieces, which chill devotion ; it is ex- 
pected, that serious attention will be paid to the culture 
of a true taste for genuine Church Music in this Semi- 
nary ; and that all Students therein, who have tolerable 
voices, will be duly instructed in the theory and prac- 
tice of this celestial art ; and, whenever it shall be in 
the power of either of the said Professors, it shall ac- 
cordingly be his duty to afford this necessary instruc- 
tion ; and, whenever this shall not be the case, it is 
expected, that an Instructor will be procured for this 
purpose. 

Thirty-first. All Professors, Officers, and Stu- 
dents in this Seminary, and all other persons employed 
in its service, together with the Lands, Buildings, Li- 
brary, Funds, and all other property, thereto belong 
ng shall be under the immediate inspection and gov- 
ernment of the Trustees aforesaid, and be regulated 
and managed by them in strict conformity to this Con- 
stitution, and to the Statutes and Will of every Foun- 
der of a Professorship, or Benefactor of this Institu- 
tion. And the said Trustees are hereby authorized and 
empowered to make such additional Regulations, (not 
inconsistent with the Regulations established in this 
Constitution, nor with the Statutes or Will of any Foun 



27 

cler or Donor, nor with the object of this Institution, nor 
in any degree avoiding them or either of them) as they 
in their wisdom shall deem necessary to give the fullest 
efficacy to these provisions, or the Consistent provisions 
of future Benefactors ; whether such Regulations nw 
relate to the conduct of the Professors, the government 
of the Students, their various duties and exercises, their 
lodging and diet, the prevention and punishment of of- 
fences, the preservation of health, the promotion of or- 
<ler, peace, and harmony, to the safety of the buildings, 
or to the security of the Funds, which last are to be 
effectually guarded against all loss and diminution ; in 
a word, toXio every thing, under the foregoing limita- 
tions, which, upon serious and mature deliberation, may 
appear to them necessary to secure and promote the 
true object of this Institution. 

Thirty-second. Notwithstanding this Seminary 
is placed, by ^this Constitution, under the immediate 
care and government of the Trustees of Phillips Acad- 
emy, it is always to be understood, and it is hereby 
^expressly declared, that every Founder of a Professor- 
-^ship^-Scholarship, or any other Living whatever, in this 
Institution, will have the exclusive right of prescribing 
the Regulations and Statutes, to be observed by the 
said Trustees in conducting the concerns of the same ? 
said Regulations and Statutes being always consistent 
with the principles and object of this Institution ; and 
also the right of appointing, in the original deed or 
grant for the term of his life, such local Visitor or 
Visitors, as he may think proper, and to endow him or 
them with all visitatorial powers and authorities, neces 



28 

sary to secure aiid enforce due observance and execu- 
tion of his said Regulations and Statutes. 

Thirty- third. Whereas the necessary business 
of this Seminary will be sufficient to employ the said 
Trustees one day at least in every year ; they are re- 
quested to hold an annual meeting for transacting the 
same, on such day in each year, as they may appoint ; 
and likewise to meet as much oftener, as the good of 
said Seminary may require ; and at each annual meet- 
ing to read this Constitution. The rules and modes of 
doing business at all such meetings shall be the same, 
mutatis mutandis, which are prescribed in the Consti- 
tution of Phillips Academy. Decent, not extravagant 
entertainment, shall be made for the Trustees, while 
attending the said meetings, reasonable compensation 
made to the Treasurer of said Academy, for his ser- 
vices, and other necessary expenses of this Institution 
defrayed out of the income of its funds. It is also par- 
ticularly requested, that all the transactions of the said 
Trustees, relative to the said Theological Institution, 
be recorded in a distinct book ; and likewise that all 
property given, devised, or bequeathed for the support 
of this Seminary, be separated and forever kept distinct 
from all other property, to the Trustees aforesaid in 
any way or for any other purpose entrusted, being 
never blended therewith in any part or degree, by loan 
or purchase ; and that the said Treasurer accordingly 
keep all his accounts and entries, relative to these 
Funds, in distinct books, and all monies, evidences of 
property, receipts, papers, and books of account, ap- 
pertaining to this Institution, in a separate trunk or 



29 

chest, prepared for prompt removal on any emergence ; 
and that the accounts of said Treasurer be annually 
audited by a Committee, for this purpose appointed, 
who shall report to the said Trustees in writing. 

Thirty- fourth. Confiding in the wisdom and 
fidelity of the said Trustees and their Successors in 
office, and with the pleasing hope and expectation, that 
they will religiously appropriate the aforesaid buildings 
and the income of the aforesaid Fund, and of all future 
Donations for the same pious purpose, to the great 
object of supporting a theological Seminary, such as 
herein contemplated and described, agreeably to the 
principles and regulations contained in this Constitution; 
we do now, under God, cheerfully commit this our 
Foundation to their pious and watchful care, trusting 
that no exertion on their part will be wanting to the 
success of an Institution, so intimately connected with 
the glory of God, the advancement of the Redeemer's 
kingdom, and the salvation of their fellow men. 

But, while we thus express our conviction of the 
necessity and utility of this Institution, it is our earnest 
prayer, that our own minds, and the minds of the 
Trustees, Professors, Students, and all connected 
therewith, may be ever penetrated by a deep sense of 
the necessity of the divine direction, influence, and 
blessing, to render even the wisest provisions and the 
best human instructions ultimately successful. 

To the Spirit of truth, to the divine Author of our 
faith, to the only wise God, we desire in sincerity to 
present this our humble offering : devoutly imploring 
the Father of lights richly to endue with wisdom from 



30 

above all his servants the Trustees of this Seminary, 
and with spiritual understanding the Professors there- 
in, that, being illuminated by the Holy Spirit, their 
doctrine may drop as the rain, and their speech distil 
as the dew ; and that their Pupils may become trees 
of renown in the courts of our God, whereby He may 
be glorified. 

In witness whereof we the subscribers have hereunto 
set our hands and seals this thirty first day of August 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and seven. 

PHCEBE PHILLIPS, (S) 
JOHN PHILLIPS, Jun. (S) 
SAMUEL ABBOT. (S) 

Signed, sealed, and delivered 

in presence of 

SAMUEL STEARNS, 
JOSEPH PHELPS, 
AMOS BLANCHARD. 



ADDITIONAL STATUTES. 



We the subscribers, having made some provision for 
the establishment of a Theological Institution in con- 
nexion with Phillips Academy, by covenanting to erect 
certain buildings therefor, and by laying a Foundation 
for a Professorship of Christian Theology therein, and 
having given a Constitution, containing principles and 
regulations for the management of the said Institution, 
which has been accepted by the Trustees of said 
Academy, in which we " reserved to ourselves, during 
" our natural lives, the right jointly to make any ad- 
" ditional regulations, or to alter any rule therein pre- 
" scribed, provided such regulation or alteration be not 
" prejudicial to the true design of said Foundation" — 
We do now, agreeably to the said reserved right, and 
in furtherance, as we trust, of our original design there- 
in expressed, make and ordain the following articles, to 
be added to, and taken, as a part of our said Constitu- 
tion ; Provided the said Trustees shall accept the Sta- 
tutes and Foundation of the Associate Founders, 
so called, viz, of Moses Brown and WilliamBariv 
let Esquires of Newbury Port and the Honorable 
John Norris Esquire of Salem, which are now exe 
cuted, and to be laid before the said Trustees, at their 



32 

approaching meeting, for their acceptance ; and to con- 
tinue of full force, as a part of our said Constitution, so 
long as the said Associate Foundation shall continue 
attached to our said Institution, and no longer. 

First. Having provided in the twelfth Article of 
our said Constitution, that " every person, appoint- 
ed or elected a Professor in the said Seminary, shall 
" on the day of his inauguration publicly make and 
" subscribe a declaration of his faith in divine revela- 
" tion, and in the fundamental and distinguishing doc- 
"trines of the Gospel of Christ, as summarily expres- 
" sed in the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Cate- 
" chism ;" We now ordain the following addition, to 
be inserted in said Article, in connexion with the said 
clause, viz, ' and as more particularly expressed in the 
following Creed, to wit, 

' I believe that there is one and but one living and true 
God ; that the word of God, contained in the Scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testament, is the only per- 
fect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to those 
Scriptures God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and un- 
changeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, jus- 
tice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead arc 
three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost ; and that these Three are One God, the 
same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that 
God created man after his own image in knowledge, 
righteousness, and holiness ; that the glory of God is 
aian's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his su- 
preme happiness; that this enjoyment is derived solely 
from conformity of heart to the moral character and 



33 

will of God ; that Adam, the federal head and repre- 
sentative of the human race, was placed in a state of 
probation, and that in consequence of his disobedience 
all his descendants were constituted sinners ; that by 
nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of 
holiness, unlike and opposed to God, and that pre- 
viously to the renewing agency of the Divine Spirit 
all his moral actions are adverse to the character and 
glory of God ; that, being morally incapable of re- 
covering the image of his Creator, which was lost in 
Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damna- 
tion ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot 
see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good 
pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting 
life, and that he entered into a covenant of grace to 
deliver them out of this state of sin and misery by a 
Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is 
the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose became 
man, and continues to be God and man in two distinct 
natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our 
Redeemer, executeth the office of a Prophet, Priest, 
and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemp- 
tion, the Son of God, and he alone, by his suffering 
and death, has made atonement for the sins of all men ; 
that repentance, faith, and holiness are the personal re- 
quisites in the Gospel scheme of salvation ; that the 
righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sin-^ 
ner's justification ; that this righteousness is received 
through faith ; and that this faith is the gift of God ; 
so that our salvation' is wholly of grace ; that no means 
whatever can change the heart of a sinner and make it 



34 

holy ; that regeneration and sanctification are effects of 
the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, 
and that supreme love to God constitutes the essential 
difference between saints and sinners ; that by con- 
vincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our 
minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills,' 
the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits 
of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which 
these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, 
sacraments, and prayer ; that repentance unto life, faith 
to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, 
are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's sup- 
per ; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no 
person to its holy communion, before he exhibit credi- 
ble evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance 
in holiness is the only method of making our calling 
and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of 
saints, though it is the effect of the special operation 
of God on their hearts, necessarily implies their own 
watchful diligence ; that they, who are effectually cal- 
led, do in this life partake of justification, adoption, 
and sanctification, and the several benefits, which do 
either accompany *or flow from them ; that the souls 
of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, 
and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, 
being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection 
be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made 
perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all 
eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and 
everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into 
the lake, that burnetii with fire and brimstone forever 



35 

and ever. I moreover believe that God, according to 
the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hath 
foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all 
beings, actions, and events both in the natural and 
moral world are under his providential direction ; that 
God's decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; 
God's universal agency, with the agency of man ; and 
man's dependence with his accountability ; that man 
has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that 
God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sinner's 
aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is 
the prerogative of God to bring good out of evil, and 
that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men 
and devils to praise him ; and that all the evil, which 
has existed, and which will forever exist in the moral 
system, will eventually be made to promote a most 
important purpose under the wise and perfect adminis- 
tration of that Almighty Being, who will cause all 
things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his 
pleasure.' \ 

Second. That the trust aforesaid may be always 
executed agreeably to the true intent of our said Foun- 
dation ; and that we may effectually guard the Same, 
in all future time, against all perversion, or the smal- 
lest avoidance of our true design, as therein expres- 
sed — We do hereby constitute a Board of Visitors, 
to be, as in our place and stead, the Guardians, Over- 
seers, and Protectors of our said Foundation, in man- 
ner, as is expressed in the following provisions, that is 
to say, we appoint and constitute the Honorable Caleb 
Strong Esquire late Governor of the Commonwealth 



of Massachusetts, the Reverend Timothy Dwi£ht 
D. D. President of Yale College, and the Reverend 
Samuel Spring of Newburyport Doctor of Divinity, 
Visitors of the said Foundation ; who with their 
successors in office, to be chosen as herein after di- 
rected, shall be a perpetual body for this purpose, with 
all the powers and duties in them herein vested, and on 
them enjoined ; but we do nevertheless reserve to 
Samuel Abbot, one of the subscribers, the right of 
visiting, in connexion with the said Board, and during 
his natural life, the said Foundation ; and we do more- 
over confer on Moses Brown and William Bart- 
let Esquires of Newbury Port, and the Honorable 
John Norris Esquire of Salem, the Associate Foun- 
ders above named, the right of visiting the said Foun- 
dation in the same manner with the said Samuel Ab- 
bot, during their natural lives respectively ; each of 
the said four Founders so long, as he shall retain his 
seat at the Board, shall possess and exercise all the 
rights and powers, herein given to a Visitor of the said 
Foundation ; though upon the resignation or demise 
of either of the said Founders, his place shall not be 
supplied by election of a Visitor to succeed him ; and, 
after the demise or resignation of the said four persons, 
last above named as Founders, the said Board shall 
never consist of more than three members ; and it is 
farther expressly provided, that the perpetual Board of 
Visitors, first herein named, shall consist of two Cler- 
gymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be men of 
distinguished talents and piety. 



37 

Third. We do farther provide and ordain, that 
no person shall be eligible, as a Visitor, under the age 
of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven 
herein just named, hold the office of Visitor after the 
age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the excep- 
tion aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the 
sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the 
year next ensuing, choose some suitable person to suc- 
ceed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat 
at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have 
completed his seventieth year, or formally resigned his 
office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member 
at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, be- 
fore a Successor shall have been chosen. 

Fourth. The Board of Visitors shall meet on the 
seventeenth day of May current at Andover, and ever 
after once in every year at the aforesaid Theological 
Institution, to execute the business of their appoint- 
ment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also upon 
emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after di- 
rected ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regulario 
convened, shall be a Quorum, of which Quorum a 
major part shall have power to transact the business of 
their Commission, and in case of an equivote, the ques- 
tion shall determine on that side, on which the presid- 
ing member shall have voted. 

Fifth. There shall be annually chosen by ballot 
a President and Secretary, as officers of the Board out 
of their own number, who shall continue in their res- 
pective offices, till their places be supplied by new 



38 

elections, and upon the decease of either of them, an- 
other shall be chosen in his room at the next meeting. 
Sixth. The President, or in case of his death, re- 
signation, or absence from the country, the Secretary 
shall, upon all necessary occasions, call special meet- 
ings of the Board ; and his notifications shall express 
the business to be transacted at such meetings, and be 
given as early as possible ; and in the absence of the 
President, at any meeting, the Secretary shall preside. 

Seventh. The Secretary shall keep a fair record 
of all the transactions of the Visitors at every meeting 
of the Board, inserting the names of the members pre- 
sent ; and in his absence another shall be appointed in 
his room. 

Eighth. The Visitors shall remove any member 
of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or signal 
neglect of duty. 

Ninth. Upon the death, resignation, or removal 
of a Visitor, (except only upon the demise or resigna- 
tion of a Founder) the Board of Visitors shall at their 
uixt meeting, by ballot, elect another in his stead; and 
ever after from time to time, as a vacancy shall take 
place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every 
person so elected, previously to his taking his seat at 
the Board, shall make and subscribe the following De- 
claration, namely ; " Approving the Constitution of the 
" Theological Institution, I solemnly declare in the 
" presence of God and of this Board, that I will faith* 
" fully exert my abilities to carry into execution the 
M Regulations therein contained, and to promote the 
" great object of the Institution ;" — And he shall more- 



39 

over in like manner subscribe the same theological 
Creed, which every Professor elect is required to sub- 
scribe ; and a declaration of his faith in the same Creed 
shall be repeated by him at every successive period of 
live years ; and, if in the course of events the number 
of Visitors shall, by any special providence of God, be 
reduced to one, the remaining Visitor shall have power 
to appoint one suitable person to be a Visitor of the 
said Foundation ; and these two Visitors shall at their 
first regular meeting supply the remaining vacancy in 
the Board. 

Tenth. The power and duties of the Board of 
Visitors, thus constituted and organized, shall be, as 
follows, namely, to visit the said Foundation once in 
every year, and at other times, when regularly called 
thereto ; to inquire into the state of the said fund and 
the management of the said Foundation with respect 
to the said Professor ; to determine, interpret, and ex- 
plain the statutes of the said Foundation in all cases., 
brought before them in their judicial capacity ; to re- 
dress grievances with respect to the said Professor ; to 
hear appeals from decisions of the Board of Trustees, 
and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibited in be- 
half of the said Professor ; to review and reverse any 
censure passed by said Trustees upon any Professor 
on said Foundation ; to declare void all rules and re- 
gulations, made by the said Trustees, relative to said 
Foundation, which may be inconsistent with the origi- 
nal Statutes thereof ; to take care, that the duties of 
each Professor on said Foundation be intelligibly and 
faithfully discharged, and tQ admonish or remove him, 



40 

either for misbehaviour, heterodoxy, incapacity, or 
neglect of the duties of his office ; and in general to 
see that our true intentions as expressed in our said 
Constitution in relation to said Professor, be faithfully 
executed, always administering justice impartially, and 
exercising the functions of their office in the fear of 
God, according to these Regulations, the Provisions 
of the said Constitution, and the Laws of the land. 

Eleventh. Every election of a Professor on said 
Foundation shall within ten days be presented to the 
Visitors ; who are hereby vested with the power and 
right of approving or negativing, at a regular meeting, 
every such election. But, if any such election be not 
thus either approved or negatived by the said Visitors 
within twelve months from the commencement of a 
vacancy in said Professorship, such election shall be 
considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall ac- 
cordingly be deemed constitutional and valid ; provide 
ed always, that such election shall have been regularly 
communicated to the President or Secretary of the 
Board of Visitors ten days at least previously to the 
expiration of the twelve months aforesaid. 

Twelfth. The Board of Visitors in all their pro- 
ceedings are to be subject to our Statutes herein ex- 
pressed, and to those contained in our said Constitu- 
tion, and to conform their measures accordingly ; and, 
if they .shall at any time act contrary thereto, or exceed 
the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, 
the party aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to 
the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this 
Commonwealth for the time being for remedy, who 



41 

are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such 
case, and, agreeably to the determination of the major 
part of them, to declare null and void any decree or 
sentence of the said Visitors, which upon mature con- 
sideration they may deem contrary to the said Statutes, 
or beyond the just limits of their power, herein pre- 
scribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Ju- 
dicial Court for the time being shall the said Board of 
Visitors at all times be ^subject to be restrained and 
corrected in the undue exercise of their office. 

Thirteenth. At all meetings of the Visitors de- 
cent entertainment shall be made by direction of the 
Board, and at the expense of the Foundation. 

Finally. Commending the said Institution and 
all concerned in the management thereof to the blessing 
of Heaven, and in witness of what is contained in this 
and the preceding pages, we hereunto set our hands 
and seals, this third day of May in the year of our 
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eight. 

SAMUEL ABBOT, (S.) 
PHOEBE PHILLIPS, (S.) 
JOHN PHILLIPS, Jun. (S.) 

Signed, sealed, and delivered 
in presence of its, 

MOSES WOOD, 

AMOS BLANCHARD. 



PREFACE OF THE ASSOCIATE STATUTES, 



The interesting object now before us requires serious 
and impartial consideration. The open volume of na- 
ture is full of divine instruction ; but, destitute of the 
more luminous volume of inspiration, the whole world 
must have remained in pagan darkness and supersti- 
tion. Both the present and past state of heathen na- 
tions manifestly evinces the necessity of special revela- 
tion. It is the word of God ; it is the gospel of 
Christ, which in the course of divine administration 
makes the moral difference between rude pagans and 
devout Christians. What benevolent mind, while con- 
templating the superior advantages of the church, does 
not weep over the millions of ignorant men, who are 
perishing for lack of vision ? What Christian does not 
commisserate the destitute in all sections of the globe, 
and devoutly pray that, agreeably to Christ's injunc- 
tion, the gospel may soon be preached to every crea- 
ture ? How long, alas, shall the greatest part of the 
human race remain unacquainted with the gospel ! 
How long shall they continue unbelievers ! " But how 
shall they believe in him, of whom they have not 
heard ? And how shall they hear without a preacher ? 
And how shall they preach, except they be sent ?" 
And how can preachers be consistently sent, unless 



44 

properly qualified ? And, at this day of increasing er- 
ror and delusion, how can they acquire proper qualifi- 
cations to stem the torrent of infidelity and corruption, 
unless furnished with greater theological advantages, 
than have been generally enjoyed in our country ? The 
numerous obstacles, which some eminent men have 
laboriously surmounted, in qualifying themselves for 
the sacred office, and the numerous difficulties, which 
others have been unable to remove, present a powerful 
argument for the establishment of a Theological Insti- 
tution. The church at this day of boasted light, though 
in reality a day of great moral darkness, spreads forth 
her trembling hands, and in plaintive accents asks for 
help. She greatly needs and urgently requests more 
able candidates, missionaries, and pastors ; and shall 
her pressing request, supported by the Lord of the 
harvest, be disregarded ? Is it not an impressive, hu- 
miliating consideration, that many young men are in- 
ducted into the sacred office, who are furnished with 
much less appropriate information, than is reputable, 
or admissible in the other learned professions ? To the 
lasting honor of the bar and of the medical faculty they 
neither admit, nor recognize any, except men of talents 
and erudition. Property and health are deemed too 
precious to be trusted in the hands of weakness or 
ignorance. But what is the value of property, health, 
or life, compared with that of immortal souls ? Alas, 
shall the pulpit sigh and groan ? Shall infidels sneer 
and triumph ? And shall Satan take advantage of heed- 
less sinners, because authorised teachers depreciate the 
gospel by their inability to defend it ? God forbid ! 



45 

The priests' lips should keep knowledge, and the am- 
bassadors of Christ in their official capacity ought not 
to be inferior to the ambassadors of temporal princes. 
Their office is sacred, and involves much higher res- 
ponsibility. They plead and administer for Christ 
and immortal souls. They stand between heaven and 
earth, and must be qualified to honor God by correct- 
ly delivering his message to man. Who is sufficient 
for these things ? Who can render to God the things, 
that are God's, and rightly divide the word of truth to 
the different classes of men, unless properly qualified ? 
But by what eligible, effectual measure can ministerial 
and evangelical influence be reclaimed and supported ? 
How can devout candidates most successfully acquire 
theological reputation ? By what means can they be 
qualified to magnify the pastoral office ? The question 
is highly interesting to Zion and the souls of men. 
The answer is ready, if not anticipated. By gratuitous 
theological establishments they must have ample op- 
portunity and advantages to pursue their studies. Up- 
on due reflection this appears a correct expedient, and 
the best measure, that can be adopted at the present 
day. Merely to glance at the deep and sublime things 
of divinity six months, or a year, is not sufficient to 
qualify young men for the gospel ministry. To fill 
the pastoral office with dignity and utility, by wisely 
unfolding and applying the truth to saints and sinners, 
much previous study and information are requisite. 
Three years unwearied application to theology, which 
is only half the term required by the church of Scot- 
land, is barely sufficient. The extensive field of 



46 

divinity, so full of hidden treasures, cannot be duly 
explored by young men of piety and ability within a 
shorter term. And what youth, of genius and grace 
can more profitably employ his time ? No considerate 
young man, who wishes to spend his life in dispensing 
truth to others, will think three years too long for lay- 
ing the foundation of theological science. To those, 
who desire to excel in doing good, the term will ap- 
pear but a few days. 

The common embarrassments of theological Stu- 
dents, the pressing and imperious demand for qualified 
laborers to reap the extensive and increasing harvest, 
which opens before us, compel us to contemplate the 
necessity and utility of a gratuitous theological Institu- 
tion. To raise up a long and uninterrupted succession 
of able, devout ministers for the defense of the gos- 
pel, to adorn the church, and to honor Christ, by 
cooperating with him in reclaiming sinners, is the true 
design of the Institution. 

Motives to unite the hearts of all devout and orthodox 
men in promoting the interest of the Institution are 
numerous. The daring strides, made at the present 
day by infidels and other erroneous men ; the urgent 
necessity of a learned and pious ministry, to check and 
countervail their dangerous influence, is no inferior 
motive to combine the efforts of all the faithful. But 
there are other considerations equally impressive. For 
is it not worthy of grateful notice, that the concurrent 
events of the present period induce a belief, that the 
set time to build up Zion is at hand ? If we do not 
greatly mistake the import of prophecy and correspond- 



47 

ing events, we live near the termination of the dark- 
ness, which has long enveloped the church and the 
world ; and as near the commencement of Zion's 
permanent prosperity and glory. The numerous mis- 
sionary and humane Institutions, lately established and 
crowned with signal success, are indications, that 
Christ is preparing the way for the millenial ex- 
pression of his benevolence. Shall we therefore see 
his star in the east ? Shall we behold the glorious Re- 
deemer coming to collect the precious fruits of the 
cross ? Shall the Lord of the harvest call for able and 
faithful laborers ; and shall we not concur with his 
gracious requisition ? Surely a wide and effectual door 
is open to do good. And shall we disregard the mani- 
fest call of Providence ? If we withhold our exertions, 
deliverance will arise to the church from some other 
quarter ; for God will build up Zion, and appear in 
his glory. 

The Theological Institution we consider, as the re- 
sidence of Christian love and harmony, and the resi- 
dence, we hope, of the Sun of Righteousness, who will 
make it a light of the church, and a distinguished lu- 
minary in our hemisphere. 

Finally, while we survey the gloomy state of the 
church and the world, in connexion with the numerous 
embarrassments and disadvantages, under which theo- 
logical students labor, while qualifying themselves for 
the ministry ; we cannot but hail the rising Institution ; 
which will afford the indigent opportunity to pursue 
their studies several years without expense ; and will 
readily embrace those, who choose to defray the ex- 



43 

pense of their theological education. Under the pat- 
ronage of Christ, to whom the Institution is dedicat- 
ed, we cannot but entertain a pleasing hope, that it 
will flourish ; and that it will meet the cordial appro- 
bation of well informed Christians, and realize the in- 
effable benefit of their devout and persevering prayers. 



THE 

STATUTES 

OF THE 

ASSOCIATE FOUNDATION 

IN THE 

THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION 

IN 

AN DOVER. 



Seriously reflecting upon the fatal effects of the 
apostasy of man without a Savior, on the merciful ob- 
ject of the Son of God in assuming our nature and 
dying for our salvation, and upon the wisdom of his 
appointment of an order of men to preach his Gospel 
in the world ; considering also that, notwithstanding 
this appointment, by far the greatest part of the human 
race is still perishing for lack of vision, and that even 
in countries, where the Gospel is enjoyed, infidelity, 
error, and immorality greatly abound ; feeling it to be 
our duty to conspire with the benevolent design of this 
appointment, and being desirous of contributing ac- 
cording to our ability toward its success, and of ex- 
pressing in this imperfect manner our sense of obliga- 
tion to our compassionate Redeemer ; We, Moses 
Brown and William Bartlet, both of Newbury 
Port, Merchants, and John Norris of Salem Esquire, 



50 

all of the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts, being influenced, as we hope, by a princi- 
ple of gratitude to God and benevolence to man, have 
determined to devote a part of the substance, with 
which Heaven has blessed us, to the defense and pro- 
motion of the Christian Religion, by making some 
provision for increasing the number of learned and able 
Defenders of the Gospel of Christ as well, as of or- 
thodox, pious, and zealous Ministers of the New Tes- 
tament ; and we do accordingly hereby give, assign, 
and set over to the Trustees ofPmLLiPS Academy, 
and to their successors in office, the sum of ten thou- 
sand dollars each, amounting to thirty thousand dol- 
lars ; to which sum I William Bartlet add the 
farther sum of ten thousand dollars,* for the purpose 
of supporting one of the two Professors, herein after 
named, the whole amounting to forty thousand dollars, 
in Sacred Trust, as a capital Fund, to be disposed 
of in the manner and for the purposes following ; that 
is to say, the said sum of money to be kept out at in- 
terest on good security, or otherwise in whole or in 
part vested, as the said Trustees shall deem best, in 
productive real estate, or in sure and permanent funds ; 
and the interest or annual income of said capital Fund 
to be applied to the maintenance of two Professors in 
the Theological Institution or Seminary, late- 
ly founded in the Town of Andover, and County afore- 
said ; who shall, agreeably to the permanent Creed, 
herein after mentioned, faithfully teach that revealed 

■ To this Bum an addition of ten thousand dollars has hcen made by 
the Founder since the execution of these Statutes. 



51 

Holy Religion only, which God constantly teaches man 
by his glorious works of Creation, Providence, and 
Redemption ; whose professional duties shall be as- 
signed, according to the Constitution of the Seminary, 
in such manner, as shall most directly and effectually 
promote the great object of the Institution ; reserv- 
ing to ourselves the right jointly to make the first ap- 
pointment of one of the said Professors, and to the said 
William Bartlet severally, the right to make the 
first appointment of the other of the said Professors ; 
and also toward the maintenance of such Students in 
Divinity, as may be proper candidates for gratuitous 
support, and shall be approved and recommended by 
the Board of Visitors, herein after constituted, or by a 
committee of their appointment, agreeably to the fol- 
lowing Statutes, namely, 

First. The Fund aforesaid shall be kept distinct 
from all other property, to the same Trustees belong- 
ing, being never blended therewith by loan or purchase ; 
and their Treasurer shall accordingly keep all accounts 
relative thereto in distinct books, and all monies, evi- 
dences of property, receipts, papers, and books of ac- 
count, appertaining to said Fund, in a trunk, or chest, 
prepared for prompt removal. 

Second. Every Professor on the Associate 
Foundation shall be a Master of Arts, of the Pro- 
testant Reformed Religion, an ordained Minister of the 
Congregational or Presbyterian denomination, and shall 
sustain the character of a discreet, honest, learned* and 
devout Christian ; an orthodox and consistent Calvin- 
ist ; and, after a careful examination by the Visitors 



52 

with reference to his religious principles, he shall, on 
the day of his inauguration, publicly make and sub- 
scribe a solemn declaration of his faith in Divine Re- 
velation, and in the fundamental and distinguishing 
doctrines of the Gospel, as expressed in the following 
Creed, which is supported by the infallible Revelation, 
which God constantly makes of Himself in his works 
of creation, providence, and redemption ; namely, 

I believe that there is one and but one living and true 
God ; that the word of God, contained in the Scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testament, is the only per- 
fect rule of faith and practice ; that agreeably to those 
Scriptures God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and un- 
changeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, jus- 
tice, goodness, and truth ; that in the Godhead arc 
three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
Ghost ; arid that these Three are One God, the 
same in substance, equal in power and glory ; that 
God created man after his own image in knowledge, 
righteousness, and holiness ; that the glory of God is 
man's chief end, and the enjoyment of God his su- 
preme happiness ; that this enjoyment is derived solely 
from conformity of heart to the moral character and 
will of Go d ; that Adam, the federal head and repre- 
sentative of the human race, was placed in a state of 
probation, and that in consequence of his disobedience 
all his descendants were constituted sinners ; that by 
nature every man is personally depraved, destitute of 
holiness, unlike and opposed to God, and that pre- 
viously to the renewing agency of the Divine Spirit 
all his moral actions are adverse to the character and 



53 

glory of God ; that, being morally incapable of re- 
covering the image of his Creator, which was lost in 
Adam, every man is justly exposed to eternal damna- 
tion ; so that, except a man be born again, he cannot 
see the kingdom of God ; that God, of his mere good 
pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting 
life, and that he entered into a covenant of grace to 
deliver them out of this state of sin and misery by a 
Redeemer ; that the only Redeemer of the elect is 
the eternal Son of God, who for this purpose became 
man, and continues to be God and man in two distinct 
natures and one person forever ; that Christ, as our 
Redeemer, executeth the office of a Prophet, Priest, 
and King ; that, agreeably to the covenant of redemp- 
tion, the Son of God, and he alone, by his suffering 
and death, has made atonement for the sins of all men ; 
that repentance, faith, and holiness are the personal re- 
quisites in the Gospel scheme of salvation ; that the 
righteousness of Christ is the only ground of a sin- 
ner's justification ; that this righteousness is received 
through faith ; and that this faith is the gift of God ; 
so that our salvation is wholly of grace ; that no means 
whatever can change the heart of a sinner and make it 
holy ; that regeneration and sanctification are effects of 
the creating and renewing agency of the Holy Spirit, 
and that supreme love to God constitutes the essential 
difference between saints and sinners ; that by con- 
vincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our 
minds, working faith in us, and renewing our wills, 
the Holy Spirit makes us partakers of the benefits 
of redemption ; and that the ordinary means, by which 



54 

these benefits are communicated to us, are the word, 
sacraments, and prayer ; that repentance unto life, faith 
to feed upon Christ, love to God, and new obedience, 
are the appropriate qualifications for the Lord's sup- 
per ; and that a Christian Church ought to admit no 
person to its holy communion, before he exhibit credi- 
ble evidence of his godly sincerity ; that perseverance 
in holiness is the only method of making our calling 
and election sure ; and that the final perseverance of 
saints, though it is the effect of the special operation 
of Go d on their hearts, necessarily implies their own 
watchful diligence ; that they, who are effectually cal- 
led, do in this life partake of justification, adoption, 
and sanctification, and the several benefits, which do 
either accompany or Row from them ; that the souls 
of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, 
and do immediately pass into glory ; that their bodies, 
being still united to Christ, will at the resurrection 
be raised up to glory, and that the saints will be made 
perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all 
eternity ; but that the wicked will awake to shame and 
everlasting contempt, and with devils be plunged into 
the lake, that burnetii with fire and brimstone forever 
and ever. I moreover believe that God, according to 
the counsel of his own will, and for his own glory, hath 
foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, and that all 
beings, actions, and events, both in the natural and 
moral world, are under his providential direction ; that 
God's decrees perfectly consist with human liberty ; 
God's universal agency with the agency of man ; and 
man's dependence with his accountability ; that man 



55 

has understanding and corporeal strength to do all, that 
God requires of him ; so that nothing, but the sinner's 
aversion to holiness, prevents his salvation ; that it is 
the prerogative of God to bring good out of evil, and 
that he will cause the wrath and rage of wicked men 
and devils to praise him ; and that all the evil, which 
has existed, and which will forever exist in the moral 
system, will eventually be made to promote a most 
important purpose under the wise and perfect adminis- 
tration of that Almighty Being, who will cause all 
things to work for his own glory, and thus fulfil all his 
pleasure. — And farthermore I do solemnly promise that 
I will open and explain the Scriptures to my pupils 
with integrity and faithfulness ; that I will maintain 
and inculcate the Christian faith, as expressed in the 
Creed, by me now repeated, together with all the other 
doctrines and duties of our holy religion, so far as may 
appertain to my office, according to the best light, God 
shall give me, and in opposition, not only to Atheists 
and Infidels, but to Jews, Papists, Mahometans, Arians, 
Pelagians, Antinomians, Arminians, Socinians, Sa- 
bellians, Unitarians, and Universalists, and to all 
heresies and errors, antient or modem, which may be 
opposed to the Gospel of Christ, or hazardous to the 
souls of men ; that by my instruction, counsel, and 
example, I will endeavour to promote true Piety and 
Godliness ; that I will consult the good of this Institu* 
tion, and the peace of the Churches of our Lord Jesus 
Christ on all occasions > and that I will religiously con- 
form to the Constitution and Laws of this Seminary, 
and to the Statutes of this Foundation. 



56 

Third. Thepreceding Creed and Declaration shall 
be repeated by every Professor on this Foundation at 
the expiration of every successive period of five years ; 
and no man shall be continued a Professor on said 
Foundation, who shall not continue to approve himself 
a man of sound and orthodox principles in Divinity 
agreeably to the aforesaid Creed. 

Fourth. Professors on this Foundation shall be 
allowed an honorable maintenance, regulated, as cir- 
cumstances may require, by the current prices of the 
necessaries of life, agreeably to original contract. 

Fifth. It is required, that every public lecture be 
preceded and followed by prayer ; that the Associate 
Professors in their preaching to the Students of the 
Institution on the Lord's Day be devout, practical, 
doctrinal, and pungent, rather than speculative and 
metaphysical ; and no Professor on this Foundation 
shall ever preach for hire, or take the pastoral charge 
of any church or congregation. And it is farthermore 
expected, that the Professors on this Foundation will 
faithfully devote their time and talents, to qualify their 
pupils for able ministers of the Gospel. Beside, there- 
fore, guiding them in the peaceful ways of wisdom and 
discretion by christian precept and example, directing 
the course of their reading the Scriptures and other in- 
structive books, critically inspecting and correcting 
their theological compositions, and teaching them the 
appropriate style and manner of pulpit address, it is 
confidently expected, that the Professors confer with 
them freely and frequently on those subjects, which are 
calculated to expand and enrich the minds and hearts 



57 

of theological Students, and prepare them for the work 
of the Ministry. 

Sixth. Upon the death, resignation, or removal of 
a Professor on this Foundation, a successor shall be 
chosen by the Trustees aforesaid within six months, 
and the choice presented to the Visitors for their appro- 
bation. But, if this choice be negatived, another elec- 
tion shall in like manner be presented, and toties quoties, 
till an election be made, which shall be approved by the 
Visitors ; and this within twelve months from the com- 
mencement of a vacancy in either of the said Profes- 
sorships. 

Seventh. All Applicants for the advantages of 
this Foundation shall be introduced by letters of recom- 
mendation from devout and influential characters, and 
shall exhibit satisfactory evidence of their distinguish- 
ed abilities and gracious sincerity ; and by an exam- 
ination in the learned languages shall evince that in 
these respects they are qualified to enter upon theologi- 
cal studies. 

Eighth. Every Applicant, after examination by 
the standing Committee, to be appointed as herein af- 
ter provided, and after reading the Constitution of the 
Seminary and the Statutes of the Associate Founders, 
shall make and subscribe the following Declaration, 
viz, { Deeply impressed with the importance of an ex- 
- tensive fund of knowledge and prudence to the minis- 
' terial character, and of being correctly instructed in 
' the doctrines of the Gospel, and consequently of at-. 
6 tending a regular course of theological education, I 
solemnly promise, by the aid of divine grace, to im- 



58 

* prove in a faithful and christian manner the advanta- 
' ges, furnished by this Institution ; and to be uniiorm- 
c ly subject to the authority and laws of the same, with 
' a single view to my being qualified for the Gospel 
c Ministry.' 

Ninth. Strict and devout attention to the Sabbath 
and all stated solemnities is required of the Associate 
Students ; and every neglect of the means of grace or 
religious improvement will be duly noticed by the 
Professors. 

Tenth. It is strictly enjoined upon the Associate 
Students, to treat the Professors, Trustees, and Visitors 
with iue respect ; and each other and all persons with 
friendship and decorum ; any failure in these and simi- 
lar instances will be deemed censurable ; and, if per- 
sisted in, a forfeiture of the privileges of the Institu- 
tion. 

Eleventh. Tuition and room shall be gratis to 
all approved Applicants and Students on this Founda- 
tion ; and other gratuitous aid, such as diet, fuel, light, 
washing, and lodging, shall be granted in whole or in 
part, according to the direction of the Visitors, and as 
the state of the said Funds may permit ; and no Stu- 
dent in the Seminary may ever be charged for the In- 
struction of any Professor on our Foundation. 

Twelfth. That the Trust aforesaid may be always 
executed agreeably to the true intent of this our Foun- 
dation ; and that we may effectually guard the same 
in all future time against all perversion, or the smal- 
lest avoidance of our true design, as herein expres- 
sed ; we, the aforesaid Founders, do hereby constitute 



59 

;a board of Visitors, to be as in our place and stead 
the Guardians, Overseers, and Protectors of this our 
Foundation in manner, as is expressed in the follow- 
ing Provisions, that is to say, We appoint and consti- 
tute the Honorable Caleb Strong Esquire, late Gov- 
ernor of "the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the 
Reverend Timothy Dwight D. D. President of 
Yale College, and the Reverend Samuel Spring of 
Newbury Port aforesaid Doctor of Divinity, Visitors 
of the said Foundation ; who, with their successors in 
office to be chosen, as herein after directed, shall be a 
perpetual body for this purpose, with all the powers and 
duties in them herein vested and on them enjoined ; 
but we do nevertheless reserve to ourselves the right 
of visiting in connexion with the said Board, and dur- 
ing our natural lives respectively, this our Foundation. 
And we do moreover confer on Samuel Abbot Es- 
quire,* one of the Founders of the Theological Insti- 
tution aforesaid, the right of visiting this our Founda- 
tion in the same manner with ourselves, during his na- 
tural life ; each of the said four Founders sp long, as 
he shall retain his seat at the Board, shall possess and 
exercise all the rights, and powers, herein given to a 
Visitor of this Foundation ; though upon the resigna- 
tion or demise of either of the said Founders his place 
shall not be supplied by election of a Visitor to succeed 
him ; and after the demise or resignation of the said 
four persons, last above named as Founders, the said 
Board shall never consist of more than three members ; 

■ Who had previously resigned his seat at the Board of Trustees 



60 

and it is farther expressly provided, that the perpetual 
Board of Visitors, first herein named, shall consist of 

- two Clergymen and one Layman, all of whom shall be 
men of distinguished talents and piety. 

Thirteenth. We do farther provide and ordain that 
no person shall be eligible, as a Visitor, under the age 
of forty years ; nor shall any person, except the seven 
herein just named, hold the office of Visitor after the 

. age of seventy years ; and whenever, with the excep- 
tion aforesaid, any Visitor shall have completed the 
sixty-ninth year of his age, the Board shall, within the 
year next ensuing choose some suitable person to suc- 
ceed him ; but the Visitor elect shall not take his seat 
at the Board, before his said Predecessor shall have 
completed his seventieth year, or formally resigned his 
office of Visitor ; and no resignation of any member 
at an earlier age shall be accepted by this Board, be- 
fore a Successor shall have been chosen. 

Fourteenth. The Board of Visitors shall meet on 
the seventeenth day of May next at Andover, and ever 
after, once in every year, at the aforesaid Theolog- 
ical Institution, to execute the business of their 
appointment, on such day, as they shall assign ; also 
upon emergencies, when called thereto, as herein after 
directed ; and a majority of the Visitors, when regular- 
ly convened, shall be a Quorum, of which Quorum a 
major part shall have power to transact the business of 
their Commission ; and in case of an equi-vote, the ques- 
tion shall determine on that side, on which the presid- 
ing member shall have voted. 



61 

Fifteenth. , There shall be annually chosen, by 
ballot, a President and Secretary, as Officers of the 
Board, out of their own number ; who shall continue 
in their respective offices, till their places be supplied 
by new elections ; and, upon the decease of either of 
them, another shall be chosen in his room at the next 
meeting. 

Sixteenth. The President, or in case of his death, 
resignation, or absence from the country, the Secretary, 
shall, upon all necessary occasions, call special meet- 
ings of the Board ; and his notifications shall express 
the business to be transacted at such meetings, and be 
given as early as possible. In the absence of the Pre- 
sident, at any meeting, the Secretary shall preside. 

Seventeenth. The Secretary shall keep a fair re - 
cord of all the transactions of the Visitors at every 
meeting of the Board, inserting the names of the mem- 
bers present ; and in his absence another shall be ap- 
pointed in his room. 

Eighteenth. The Visitors shall remove any Mem- 
ber of their Board for immorality, incapacity, or ne- 
glect of duty. 

Nineteenth. Upon the death, resignation, or re- 
moval of a Visitor, except only upon the demise or re- 
signation of a Founder, the Board of Visitors shall at 
their next meeting, by ballot, elect another in his stead ; 
and ever after, from time to time, as a vacancy shall take 
place in this Board, they shall supply it ; and every 
person so elected, previously to taking his seat at the 
Board, shall make and subscribe the following De c l ar- 



62 

at ion, namely, ' Approving the Statutes of the afore - 

* said Theological Institution, and those of the Asso- 

* ciate Founders, I solemnly declare, in the presence 
'of God and of this Board, that I will faithfully exert 

* my abilities to carry into execution the Statutes of 
' the said Founders, and to promote the great object 
' of the Institution.' And he shall moreover in like 
manner subscribe the same theological Creed, which 
ever}- Professor elect is required to subscribe ; and a 
declaration of his faith in the same Creed shall be re- 
peated by him at every successive period of five years ; 
and, if in the course of events the number of Visitors 
shall by any special providence of Go d be reduced to 
one, the remaining Visitor shall have power to appoint 
one suitable person to be a Visitor of this Foundation ; 
and these two Visitors shall at their first regular meet- 
ing supply the remaining vacancy in the Board. 

Twentieth. The power and duties of the Board 
of Visitors, thus constituted and organized, shall be 
as follows ; namely, to visit the Foundation once in 
even* year, and at other times, when regularly called 
thereto ; to inquire into the state of this our Fund, and 
the management of this Foundation with respect both 
to Professors and Students ; to determine, interpret, 
and explain the Statutes of this Foundation in all cases, 
brought before them in their judicial capacity ; to re- 
dress grievances both with respect to Professors and Stu- 
dents ; to hear appeals from decisions of the Board of 
Trustees, and to remedy upon complaint, duly exhibit- 
ed in behalf of the said Professors or Students ; to 



63 

review and reverse any censure, passed by said Trus- 
tees upon any Professor or Student on this Foundation ; 
to declare void all rules and regulations, made by the 
said Trustees, relative to this Foundation, which may be 
inconsistent with the original Statutes thereof ; to take 
care, that the duties of every Professor on this Foun- 
dation be intelligibly and faithfully discharged, and to 
admonish or remove him, either for misbehaviour, he- 
terodoxy, incapacity, or neglect of the duties of his 
office ; to examine into the proficiency of the Students^ 
and to admonish, suspend, or deprive any Student for 
negligence, contumacy, or any heinous crime, commit- 
ted against the laws of God or the Statutes of this 
Foundation ; and in general, to see that our true in- 
tentions as expressed in these our Statutes, be faithfully 
executed, always administering justice impartially, and 
exercising the functions of their office in the fear of 
God, according to the said Statutes, the Constitution 
of this Seminary, and the Laws of the land. 

Twenty-fir^t. Every election of a Professor on 
this Foundation shall within ten days be presented to 
the Visitors, who are hereby vested with the power and 
right of approving or negativing, at a regular meeting, 
every such election. But, if any such election be not 
either approved or negatived by the said Visitors, 
within twelve months from the commencement of a 
vacancy in any Professorship, such election shall be 
considered, as approved by the Visitors, and shall ac- 
cordingly be deemed constitutional and valid ; provid- 
ed always, that such election shall have been regularly 



(54 

communicated to the President or Secretary of the 
Board of Visitors ten days at least previously to the 
expiration of the twelve months aforesaid. 

Twenty -second. The Visitors shall appoint a 
standing Committee, to ascertain the qualifications of 
Applicants for the advantages of this Foundation. 
Those, whom they approve, may be recommended for 
admission, as resident Applicants on trial for two 
months ; and, if at the expiration of this term the Fa- 
culty approve them, they may be placed on the list of 
resident Students, till the next annual meeting of the 
Visitors ; and, if upon examination by the Board of 
Visitors they be then approved, . they shall be register- 
ed, as Associate Students ; but, if not approved by the 
Visitors after careful examination and the best infor- 
mation respecting them, they shall be dismissed from 
the Foundation. 

Twenty- third. No Applicants, except Congre- 
gationalists and Presbyterians, shall be admitted upon 
this Foundation ; and a College education shall be ever 
deemed an essential condition of admission, except on- 
ly in some rare case of distinguished talents, informa- 
tion, and piety. 

Twenty-fourth. At all meetings of the Visitors 
decent entertainment shall be made by the direction of 
the Board, and at the expense of the Foundation ; and 
all other necessary expenses, attending the management 
of this Foundation, shall be defrayed out of the income 
of the said Fund. 

Twenty-fifth. The Board of Visitors in all their 



65 

proceedings are to be subject to our Statutes herein ex- 
pressed, and to conform their measures thereto ; and, 
if they shall at any time act contrary thereto, or exceed 
the limits of their jurisdiction and constitutional power, 
the party aggrieved may have recourse by appeal to 
the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this 
Commonwealth, for the time being, for remedy, who 
are hereby appointed and authorized to judge in such 
case, and, agreeably to the determination of the major 
part of them, to declare null and void any decree or 
sentence of the said Visitors, which upon mature con- 
sideration they may deem contrary to the said Statutes, 
or beyond the just limits of their power, herein pre- 
scribed ; and by the said Justices of the Supreme Ju- 
dicial Court for the time being shall the said Board of 
Visitors at all times be subject to be restrained and 
corrected in the undue exercise of their office. 

Twenty-sixth. Every annual meeting of the 
Board of Visitors shall be introduced with prayer, after 
which these Statutes shall be read by the President. 

Twenty- seventh. It is strictly and solemnly 
enjoined, and left in sacred charge, that every article 
of the above said Creed shall forever remain entirely 
and identically the same, without the least alteration, 
addition, or diminution. But we reserve to ourselves 
the right, as Founders, jointly to make, in concurrence 
with the said Trustees, and within the term of seven 
years, such amendments or additional articles, in per- 
fect consistence with the true object of these Statutes, 
as upon experience and due consideration shall be deem- 



6.6 

ed necessary the more effectually to secure and pro* 
mote the real design of this our Foundation. 

Twenty-eighth. Though the Founders, first 
above named, coalesce, with the Founders of the afore- 
said Theological Institution, in the manner 
herein described, with a view more effectually to pro- 
mote the cause of Evangelical Truth, and with an ar- 
dent hope, that the coalition will terminate in a perfect 
and indissoluble union ; yet, if after an experiment of 
seven years coalition, upon Visitatorial principles, it 
shall appear to the Board of Visitors, that the Visitato- 
rial system is either unsafe or inexpedient ; the coali- 
tion may nevertheless be continued upon such other 
principles, or system, as may be then agreed on by the 
Trustees and Visitors aforesaid, in consistency with the 
original design of this our Foundation ; or the said 
Visitors may withdraw the said Fund, (the said Trus- 
tees however not to be responsible for any unavoidable 
loss from depreciation of the current medium, or from 
the Providence of God,) as upon mature consideration 
may to them appear most conducive to the glory of 
God. Or, if at any time within the said term of seven 
years, contrary to our most sanguine expectation, the 
said Visitors shall by the Trustees aforesaid be denied 
or deprived of the regular and proper exercise of the 
power, authority, rights, or privileges in them hereby 
vested, agreeably to the true meaning of these our Sta- 
tutes ; then the said Fund (saving any unavoidable loss, 
as above expressed) shall revert to the said Visitors, to 
be appropriated by them, as they shall judge most con T 



67 

sistent with the original design of this our Foundation. 
But, if at the expiration of the seven years' experiment, 
or within the said term of seven years, the Board of 
Visitors and the Trustees aforesaid be well satisfied 
with the safety and expediency of the Visitatorial sys- 
tem, and that a perpetual coalition is important and de- 
sirable ; Union shall be established upon Visitatorial 
principles, to continue, as the Sun and Moon, forever. 

Confiding in the prudent and faithful inspection of 
our Visitors, and in the wisdom and fidelity of the said 
Trustees ; and with the pleasing hope, that they will 
religiously appropriate the income of the Fund afore- 
said to the great object of this Foundation, as herein 
described, agreeably to the Statutes herein contained ; 
we do, under God, cheerfully commit this our Foun- 
dation to their pious care, under the limitations before 
mentioned, trusting that no exertion on their part will 
be wanting to the success of an Institution, so intimate- 
ly connected with the salvation of men and the glory 
of God. 

To the Spirit of truth, to the divine Author of 
our faith, to the only wise God, we desire in sincerity 
to present this our humble offering, devoutly imploring 
the Father of lights richly to endue with wisdom 
from above all his servants, the Visitors of this Foun- 
dation and the Trustees of the Seminary, and with 
spiritual understanding the Professors therein ; that, 
being illuminated by the Holy Spirit, their doctrine 
may drop as the rain, and that their Pupils may become 



68 

trees of renown in the Courts of our God, whereby He 
may be glorified. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands 
and seals this twenty first day of March, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight. 

MOSES BROWN, • (S.) 
WILLIAM BARTLET, (S.) 
JOHN NORRIS. (*.) 

Signed, sealed, and delivered 
in the presence of us, 

SAMUEL SPRING, 

JEDIDIAH MORSE. 



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